Keep Moving Forward

Can hardly believe that we’re pounding the pavement of a brand new year! Where in the world did 2016 go?

As we stare 2017 in the face, what goes through your mind as you look back on 2016?

*Did you experience some challenging times and were relieved to start a new year?

*Was the last year an exciting one for you and you didn’t want to let it go?

*Or if you’re like me, perhaps you can look back and identify some things that were wonderful, yet at the same time point out things that went terribly wrong.

Wherever you put yourself, I want to encourage you to keep pressing on into the new year!

For me personally, 2016 was an exciting journey for me as my first book was published! If you’ve been following my blog for some time, then you know the highlights I’ve shared along the way. Some of you may have wondered why I hadn’t posted anything new for several months. Apologies to you all! The publishing process and book release consumed MUCH of my time…and still does.

God has blessed the release of Embracing The Race in so many ways. Ways I had not even imagined. Please pray it will continue to get into the hands of people that need it most.

Here’s a quick update on how things have gone so far:

*The book was in the top 10 on Amazon (for newly released devotional books) for 3 straight weeks.

*The books are available at four book stores and three running stores, and more opportunities are starting to open up.

*Barnes & Noble stores in the local area allowed me to do book signings and I’m attempting to do some out of town as well.

*God is opening up the doors for me to speak about the book to groups of people. (This is really a stretch for me because it’s one of my fears!)

*I could tell countless stories of people who have told me that the book has inspired, encouraged and equipped them with HOPE and COURAGE to run the race God has called them to run. (Many of these people are not runners!)

I share all this with you, not to brag or lift up myself, but to give glory to God alone. He is the one who called me to write this book and He is the one who opened the doors for it to be published.

There were many times along the journey that I wanted to quit. Didn’t think it was going anywhere. Thought I might be wasting my time and effort.

But what God calls us to, HE will FINISH if we will not give up and KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

Are there things in your life where you feel like you just want to quit?

Do you feel like there are things you know deep in your heart you are called to do, yet you don’t see them going anywhere right now?

Ever get the urge to stop pursuing good things because you don’t see any fruit and you think you might be wasting your time?

I want to encourage and challenge you to keep going! Ask God to confirm the things you think He’s called you to. Ask Him to remind you of the purpose and calling He has for your life. And just because you’re on the right path doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps along the way.

I experienced some bumps along the way in my book journey, but as discouraged as I was, I kept going.

*The publication date was delayed several weeks because the editors had issues with the Ebook version.

*The second shipment of my books had some printing problems and I had to wade through some frustration with the printer and publisher before getting another shipment with quality books.

*Four weeks after release date, Amazon ran out of books and ordered more right away. However, the distributor waited another 4 weeks before shipping them out!! (Talk about frustrating! I had to learn the hard lesson of life that I am not in control.)

I share this with you because I want you to see the reality of this truth:

Even when we are on the right path God has called us to, there are going to be some obstacles that attempt to stop us in our tracks and lead us to believe we must be doing something wrong or maybe we didn’t hear God right in the first place.

I don’t know what God has called you to or where He is leading you, dear friend. But I do know that He promises to finish what He starts in us. He promises to be with us through every valley and every challenge that comes our way.

Keep Moving Forward!

Even if it’s baby steps.

Even if you’ve taken some steps backward.

Even if you don’t feel like it.

Keep on running the race He has called you to and keep your eyes on the finish line.

Praise the Lord Lisa, that is awesome. Can I mail you my book for a signing? I’d love a signed copy. 😃 I’m super excited by all this success for you. I do love your book and bought an extra copy as a Christmas gift for a fellow runner. Thank you for your encouraging words. I pray the book success continues and others are blessed by your words.

I am so grateful to have read this. I so often think if I can’t move forward in a big way or am off schedule or track, there is little point. I needed to hear…even if it is baby steps, even if I stepped backwards and even when I don’t want to I need to keep moving forward in His plan. Thank you sincerely for sharing this today!

Hi Lisa,
I came to your site after seeing you commented on my post. I quickly took an interest in reading your post, comparing your publishing journey to mine (Marriage God’s Way). After reading about the success of your book, I went to Amazon to check it out and saw you went with CrossLink. They were one of the publishers (along with Ambassador International) that offered me a contract. How was it publishing with them if you don’t mind me asking? I end up not going with them, but of course I wonder how it went for you. When considering contracting with them I think I reached out to about 30-40 of their authors.

You said, “There were many times along the journey that I wanted to quit. Didn’t think it was going anywhere. Thought I might be wasting my time and effort.” I definitely felt the same at times! Thanks for listing the hurdles you overcame; they sounded very frustrating! Congrats on the success of the book so far!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! I have loved the personal attention I received from Crosslink. Because they are a smaller publisher, I think authors don’t feel like they are being swallowed up with multiple people. I wish they did more marketing and promoting, but they just don’t do that. I am having to do a lot on my own to get the word out about my book. They give me ideas and links to pursue in promoting, but you pretty much have to do the leg work. Blessings to you!

Lisa, I don’t know if you mind answering this here or would rather message me privately, but can you tell me what you feel like they did do that made it worth publishing with them versus self-publishing?

How wonderful God blessed the release of your book and may the blessings continue! Thanks for the encouragment about pressing forward as I have a documentary project I’m pursuing, and remember the many obstacles I’ve had on my earlier ones.. you help me to know that God’s in charge and not to loose heart.. So happy for your book out there helping so many!